Weekly Highlights

Monday

Matt Friction and the Cheap Shots debut at 8 Off 8th at the Mercy Lounge – 9pm
Once again, just like every other week, the Mercy Lounge brings us 8 off 8th, so you know the drill by now. What you might not know is the lineup, which is as follows: American Bang (who you might have seen at Live on the Green two weeks ago), the Privates, the Comfies, Mean Tambourines, Powerbrrrd, Jonesin’, and Xpia. Expect drink specials, but don’t expect the Kings of Leon. Seriously. 21+.

The WannaBeatles at Sambuca – 7pm
You know you’ve always wanted to see them, so just go and do it already! There’s no shame in seeing a cover band, especially if it’s the WannaBeatles. I mean, they’re legit.

The Lost Symbol Midnight Release Event at Davis-Kidd Booksellers
It’s Dan Brown’s new book, and I’m not ashamed to say that, while I will not be at this midnight release, I will be reading it. If it’s even a little bit as captivating as his previous work I’m sure I’ll blow through it in two days. Don’t act like you don’t won’t too! If you were wondering, yes, it does involve Robert Langdon.

Tuesday

The DYNAMITES feat. CHARLES WALKER in-store at Grimey’s – 6pm
You want soul? Here it is in the form of the Dynamites! They’re releasing their second album on this day and they want to have a party to kick it off, so drop by after work and get your groove on. It’s Grimey’s, so there will probably be free beer as well.

Rock and Roll Team Trivia at the Mercy Lounge – 7pm
You may be familiar with Rock’n’Roll trivia, but if you’re a young’n you’ve probably never gone, but the powers that be decided that THIS MUST CHANGE. I’m pleased to announce that, for the first time, Rock’n’Roll Trivia will be 18 AND UP, as opposed to 21 and up like it usually is. Parking is free, drinks are cheap, and the prizes are $100, $50, and $20. Rock!

Folk Music Concert: Adrienne Young at Belmont’s Curb Cafe – 7:30pm
This event is part of Belmont University’s Eighth Annual Humanities Symposium, which this year is centered on the concept Nature and the Human Spirit. Adrienne is a Belmont grad who brings this concept to her music. If you haven’t heard, the Curb Cafe, as of last year, has a Quiznos, but you’ll have to get there early because I believe they close at 7pm. Or eat before you go, it’s cool.

The Basement’s Special Americana Edition of New Faces Nite – 8pm
Man, sometimes I wish I was still in Nashville. This week you get to enjoy the wonderful rootsy sounds of Austin Hartley Leonard, Nathan Singleton & Sideshow Tragedy, Austin Collins, The Youngers, Charlie Faye, Aaron Beaumont, Andre Moran and Noelle Hampton and Macon Greyson

Wednesday

RADNEY FOSTER in-store at Grimey’s – 6pm
Radney is a great Americana singer-songwriter, and he’s decided to perform at Grimey’s in the midst of the American Music Festival, for free (unlike the rest of the festival, which costs money).

International Lens Film Series: My Stepbrother is a Frankenstein at Vanderbilt’s Sarratt Cinema – 7pm
Fresh from the war in Chechnya, 20-year-old Pavel arrives in Moscow to be fitted for an artificial eye and to find his father, Iulik, a physicist-turned-popular-science-author with a happy, middle-class family life who is unaware that an adulterous fling two decades earlier produced a son. The reactions of Iulik’s family and friends to Pavel’s arrival represent a microcosm of societal attitudes toward traumatized veterans, a contradictory mix of gratitude, aversion, admiration, and fear. Iulik initially denies that he is Pavel’s father, but comes to defend him, as much from patriotism as paternalism. In Russian with English subtitles. Not rated. 120 minutes.

Paul Burch and the WPA Ballclub at the Family Wash – 7pm
This is our pick of the week! Read more about Paul and the show here.

LiveOntheGreen Outdoor Concert Series: The Derek Trucks Band, Jack Pearson, Homemade Water – 6pm
Check out our article on Live on the Green for more information on everything you need to know about this free concert series. Also, I have no idea what homemade water is, but it sounds refreshing. Sad news, Mike Farris was originally scheduled to play, but for some reason he’s no longer on the bill. Awful, awful news.

Jim Squires discusses and signs Headless Horsemen at Davis-Kidd books – 7pm
Jim Squires discusses and signs Headless Horsemen: A Tale of Chemical Colts, Subprime Sales Agents, and the Last Kentucky Derby on Steroids. A pointed and irreverent critique of thoroughbred racing’s breakdown, by a prominent journalist turned horse breeder– only to find he’d gone from one business seemingly intent on committing suicide to another. Sounds like a must-read if you care at all about horse racing.

Nashville Technology Council 10th Anniversary Bash at Edgehill Studio Cafe – 4pm
I have no idea what will happen, but a party’s a party, am I right people?

but seriously…

Urban Acoustic League at Edgehill Studio Cafe – 7pm
A little Acoustic, Folk and Indie all rolled into one is what you find when you listen to Urban Acoustic League. All too often the soul of music is lost in the mix. Records are over produced and live shows are too loud. Sometimes music can become too much about image and the art form itself can be lost. You won’t see those awful think in Urban Acoustic League, I promise.

Friday

KIERAN KANE in-store at Grimey’s – 6pm
If I was in Nashville I’d be extremely excited for this one. It’s the 3rd in-store at Grimey’s this week, and it’s going to be spectacular. He usually plays with some pretty cool dudes, one is known as Welch and the other is a lanky fella the people call Fats, but Kane on his own is pretty spectacular too. If you like Americana music, or music at all, check this guy out.

In Art We Trust at Buffalo Billiards (154 Second Avenue North) – 6-10pm

It’s time to enjoy great art, cocktails, and fascinating people in a relaxed, non-traditional environment. A wide variety of artists are participating and most of the works are for sale. Street art, traditional art, sculpture, photography, performance art… if you can dream it up, it’s probably been at one of our shows

27th Annual African Street Festival at TSU – all weekend
The African Street Festival is the phenomenal festival that has grown to attract more than 50,000 people interested in African American culture. Here are some things you can expect to find: The Children’s Pavilion (featuring arts and crafts, drumming, dance, storytelling and more), Authentic African, American and other cuisines representing the Diaspora, an eclectic mix of live music such as African, Reggae, Latin, R&B, Jazz, Gospel, Neo-Soul, Country, Blues, African Drumming and more, an Opening Night International Music Block Party, and much more. Click HERE for more info.

Documentary Films: Manufactured Landscapes and Shifting Nature in the Lila D. Bunch Library’s Multimedia room on the second floor – 7:30pm
The library at Belmont is my absolute favorite place on campus, and I love it when they get to host events like this. Manufactured Landscapes works triple-time as a documentary portrait, a tone poem, and a work of protest. Director Jennifer Baichwal (The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams’ Appalachia). In the spirit of such environmentally enlightening hits as An Inconvenient Truth and powerfully shifts our consciousness about the world and the way we live in it. The film follows internationally acclaimed photographer Edward Burtynsky whose large-scale photographs of manufactured landscapes, quarries, recycling yards, factories, mines, and dams create stunningly beautiful art from civilization’s materials and debris. The film follows him through China, as he shoots the evidence and effects of that country’s massive industrial revolution. Burtynsky’s photographs allow us to meditate on our impact on the planet and witness both the epicenters of industrial endeavor and the dumping grounds of its waste.
P.S., be sure to be extra nice to the library staff!

Saturday

Great Nashville Duck Race at Riverfront Park – fun starts at 11am, ducks drop at 1pm
Up to 10,000 rubber ducks will be dropped from the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge to race down the Cumberland River at Riverfront Park. The lucky duck reaching the finish line first will win $10,000 cash! This duck derby benefits over 3,500 youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. The fun is free to watch, and you can adopt a rubber duck for $5 if you want to support a great organization and get a shot at winning that cash.

Fall into Green Arts Festival at Long Hunter State Park – Saturday 10am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm
Fall into Green Arts Festival is a family-friendly event where people will view beautiful art and learn about the natural environment of Long Hunter State Park. A wide range of activities for both adults and children will include: high quality artists, hands-on activities, great food, exhibits and crafts, go-green vendors, music, children’s zone and much more. Proceeds will be donated to The Friends of Long Hunter State Park to build Restrooms and a dog park in the State Park. The rain date is the weekend of September 26th.

Belmont University Alumni Showcase – 7pm
Belmont University welcomes alumni artists Ricky Braddy, Brittini Black, and SHIROCK to the Curb Event Center stage for the 2nd Annual Alumni Showcase. Also, I do believe that all you Belmont MusBus students need to go to these things.

Emily (Founder/Editor in Chief) : Emily is a graduate from Belmont University, where she majored in Music Business. She’s originally from rural Ohio, where there are many cows, a river, and one vineyard. Though she moved to Seattle in 2015, Emily maintains a love of both Nashville and free things, and is actively looking for contributors for NashvilleForFree.com. If you're interested, reach out to her at emily@nashvilleforfree.com.